diabetics

Scientific Progress Against Diabetic Retinopathy

Filed in archive Developments , Research on April 26, 2007

Scientific Progress Against Diabetic Retinopathy
The most common complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.

Although it has no obvious symptom in the earliest stages, through time the condition can progress into a state in which the eye's blood vessels leak and rupture easily, eventually causing blindness.

diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood glucose levels. Almost all type 1 diabetics exhibit symptoms of this eye disorder.

For the time scientists have been able to show in clinical trials that a therapeutic compound can be used to protect against the complications of diabetic retinopathy.

The compound ruboxistaurin has been found to slow the progression of retinopathy by inhibiting an enzyme in the body called protein kinase C beta (PKC beta). PKC is believed to contribute to the blood vessel damage that leads to the disease.

Such were the findings of a study led by Dr. Lloyd Aiello of the Joslin Diabetes Center:

According to Dr. Richard Insel, Executive Vice President of Research for JDRF:

"Since retinopathy is the most common and serious eye-related complication of those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes -- and is the leading cause of adult blindness in Americans -- the outstanding research being done in this area will have a significant impact on the millions of people with diabetes."


The spring 2007 edition of Countdown (the quarterly journal of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) has the complete details of ongoing human clinical trials in the area of diabetic retinopathy, including important findings to date.

Read the full report.

Permalink: Scientific Progress Against Diabetic Retinopathy

Tags: diabetes  complications  diabetic  retinopathy  digital  diabetic+retinopathy  progress+against  against+di 

Vote for Scientific Progress Against Diabetic Retinopathy:

  • Currently 7.00/10
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Rating: 7.00 out of 4 vote(s) cast.
 
Share It
RSSrss
Google google
Yahoo! yahoo
Addthis Subscribe using any feed reader!
Bloglines Bloglines
TwitterFollow us on Twitter!
Most Popular   Best of   Blogs, Blogging & Blogosphere   Challenges   Developments   Diabetics' Device   Did you know   Diet   Education   Exercise   Family Matters   Friends   Fun   Information   Information about   Inspiration   Interviews   Lifestyle   Misc   News   Notable